The Iranian government has reopened nationwide internet access after a shutdown lasting approximately 90 days [1].

The restoration follows the longest internet block in the country's recent history. The move signals a shift in government strategy as the state balances internal security concerns against the catastrophic economic impact of digital isolation.

Officials said they initially blocked the internet to curb anti-government protests and manage the spread of war [2]. However, the government lifted the restriction as confidence grew in ongoing cease-fire negotiations [2]. The decision was also driven by the need to alleviate heavy economic losses caused by the prolonged blackout [2].

The financial toll of the shutdown was severe, with estimated losses exceeding $40 million per day [1]. This digital freeze disrupted the modern economy, particularly for those relying on online commerce.

Sina Beizi, a game console seller, said that because most people had become accustomed to online ordering, the internet block caused significant losses and a loss of regular customers [3].

Other citizens described the period as a regression in societal development. Amirsalan Hoshang, a citizen, said the country suffered massive losses and that the last four months felt like a regression to 10 years ago [3].

Reporter Park Young-jin said that the roughly 90-day nationwide shutdown is considered the longest record of its kind [3].

“The longest such block in Iran’s recent history.”

The restoration of internet services suggests that the Iranian government's priority has shifted from suppressing domestic dissent to mitigating a systemic economic collapse. By weighing the $40 million daily loss against the perceived security risks of an open web, the state has acknowledged that the cost of total digital isolation is unsustainable even during periods of high geopolitical tension.